How do we avoid online predators?:

1.) We want to make sure we are steering clear of sites that cause many people may use to profile people, or younger individuals. Our reccomendation is to stay off of pornographical sites, sites with random video (or message) chatting, sites that do not guarentee minor safety, and things that have lots of adds built into their sites. 

2.) We want to make sure we know what to look for on our more typical social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Threads, Twitter, Etc. This means looking for older people of the opposite (and sometimes same) sex, that may follow you, like several posts (and/or comment and interact). They may attempt to message you, or even offer you money. Anytime someone is offering you money, even for a somewhat reasonable reason, make sure you validate the conversation and do NOT share any banking information with someone ion the internet. 

3.) Lastly, when talking to people you DO know, make sure you monitor your conversation and think about what is reasonably appropriate. We want to avoid unsolicated pictures or messages that are not of topic to what you believed to be reasonable in the conversation. Lastly, if you or someone else is sending nude photos, remember that if you are under the age of 18, that it is considered possesion and distribution of child pornography. So please don't share photos of yourself without proper age of consent and following safety guidelines. 

How do we report an Online Predator?: 

1.) Many apps will have built in features to report people for hate speech, harrassment, abuse, and predatory remarks or actions. This means that anytime you find or have an interaction with and online predator, that you should seek those resources and report them. They will continue to go after others as well, so reporting does help everyone. 

2.) Police Departments can also handle online stalking, abuse, harrassment, etc. There is a lot that the Police Department can do, but sometimes it does take getting into legal actions on your behalf. If you feel the need to do so at least reach out in case they have been waiting for more more evidence in order to charge that individual. Of course we understand that not everyone has equal access to the resources that the police department provides, and this may not be available. 

How do we handle predatory acts in public?:

1.) If we can obtain photos, license plates, or evidence of harrassment in public, we do so!

2.) If you are able to contact the security of the venue, restaurant, or area you are at do so. If you feel as though this needs to be done silently for your safety, go to the bathroom and tell anyone who is in there you story quickly, and what exactly they should tell the hostess, manager, server, venue workers, etc. (This would include if you would like someone to notify authorities or the police.) Remember, if you scream or signal to others in a crowded area, someone is likely to help seperate you from the predator. 

3.) Please make sure you are taking all neccessary precautions to keep yourself safe, but not being over-alarmative. This means making sure you are not profiling someone based on structural systems such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. These socially oppressed groups are often over reported for crimes that they don't commit and it can put their life in danger to report them. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't report people to the police if you are believed to be in immanent danger, regardless of the predators identity. We just want to keep a reminder that sometimes we have to check our profiling of others. 

How do we handle predatory actions in private or secluded areas?:

1.) We want to make sure we avoid the more dangerous of these situation by always letting someone, anyone you can trust, know where you are- especially when meeting someone you don't know well yet. This can be done with without disclosing why or how you are getting there, but its important to give names and addresses. You never want to be in a situation where your trusted loved ones don't know where you were last.

2.) If you are in a secluded situation where you feel uncomfortable its important to do your best to let someone know so they can tentatively send help if needed. Sending your location can be easier than ever these days, so in a moment of uncertainty sending the location you are at to a friend is never a bad idea. Make sure that you know you can always exit an uncomfortable situation, and if you are feeling unsafe to do so, go ahead and contact emergency or otherwise assistive services to get you out of that situation.